Mormonism in the News: Getting It Right|
15 May 2013

This edition of "Mormonism in the News: Getting It Right" features a column from an Episcopal priest who demonstrates the importance of speaking with Mormons to understand Mormons. We also include a blog post that discusses Mormon beliefs about grace and a story from Kansas about a returned Mormon missionary who describes the purposes of his service.

Huffington Post: Understanding the Mormon Experience by Speaking With Mormons

As we have written previously, the “full symphony of the Mormon experience — or any religious experience — is comprehended only through personal and profound acquaintance.” A prime example of this is Danielle Tumminio, an Episcopal priest and author. In her most recent Huffington Post column, she writes eloquently about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ proselytizing efforts and beliefs. Importantly, her conclusions are based on personal discussions with Mormon missionaries and members in Boston.

Tumminio, who has written about the Church in the past, says she learned that the Church “wants to cultivate relationships with everyone, and all are welcome.” She also notes that “for a religion to be vital, it needs to show it’s relevant to people. And the [Mormons seem] well aware of that.”

She concludes with an insightful statement about the Latter-day Saint belief in divine revelation in modern times: Mormons “seem to have discovered that God doesn’t only speak through ancient revelations. Instead, revelation continues today, in the lives” of everyone.

Reporter Phil Anderson writes about three young men in the Topeka, Kansas, area — one who recently returned from Mormon missionary service in New Jersey, and two others who will soon serve in Russia and Uruguay.

Summing up his duties as a Mormon missionary in New Jersey, one of the young men, Andrew Smith, tells Anderson that his purpose was to “bring other people to Christ,” to “help them find the same blessings I have experienced in my life … [and help] people understand their purpose in life.”

About

This blog is managed and written by staff of the Public Affairs Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The information here is reliable and accurate but should not necessarily be viewed as official statements from the Church. The purpose of this blog is to provide journalists, bloggers, and the public with additional context and information regarding public issues involving the Church. For official news releases and statements from the Church, visit MormonNewsroom.org